Salisbury District Hospital staff raise awareness of smoking dangers

Staff at Salisbury District Hospital will highlight the dangers of smoking and the benefits of giving up with a display in main reception as part of No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 12.

Kick The Habit

Fiona Stanford gives 'Ciggy' the elbow as part of the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking

They will be on hand to give advice on how to kick the habit between 11am and 1pm. They will also be able to give smokers an idea of carbon monoxide levels in their blood.

This awareness campaign follows a new initiative that now takes place on wards, where staff now ask patients who are coming in for treatment if they smoke and want to quit. They then provide information and advice.

With all hospitals now required to gather the 'smoking status' of inpatients, staff in Salisbury are doing their bit to help people who want to give up smoking. The Trust has also recently set up drop in clinics for Salisbury District Hospital staff who want to give up smoking.

Fiona Stanford, Smoking Cessation Advisor said: " Smoking is a major cause of heart and lung disease, and many forms of cancer. Smoking claims the life of around 90,000 a year in England and Wales, with many more people suffering from poor health."

"It's important that people realise the effect that smoking can have on their health and that there is support available to them, either through the NHS Stop Smoking service available through GP surgeries, clinics and pharmacies, or in hospital if they are patients."

"We know that many people who smoke would like to give up. We hope that No Smoking Day could just provide the impetus that they need to quit the habit." ends

Notes to Editors:

Photographers are invited to come along to the main reception area at Salisbury District Hospital where there will be an opportunity to see people having carbon monoxide levels tested using the analyser. If you would like to attend and receive further details please contact Patrick Butler (details below).